Washington DC — One year ago today, Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) released a 12-point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. Tens of millions of Americans could face complete coverage loss and seniors could lose the benefits they’ve worked their entire lives to secure. In response, Protect Our Care Executive Director Brad Woodhouse issued the following statement:
“One year later, Rick Scott’s plan is still bad news for American health care. Sunsetting all programs would put Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, and the Affordable Care Act on the chopping block, threatening the health and well-being of tens of millions of families across the country. Some of these programs have been the bedrock of our nation for more than 50 years, and any effort to cut or privatize them would leave millions in the dust. As these threats have recently reemerged in debt ceiling negotiations, Rick Scott and other Republican leaders have only doubled down on their disastrous plans to rip away vital benefits from the American people — and we won’t let them get away with it.”
Rick Scott’s Plan For America Would “Sunset” The Affordable Care Act, Medicare, and Medicaid. One year ago today, as chair of the NRSC, Senator Scott proposed a 12-point Republican plan that would sunset all federal legislation in five years. Not only would the Rick Scott plan put the Affordable Care Act in grave danger, but it threatens every federal health program, including Medicare and Medicaid. When asked about the ACA’s protections for people with pre-existing conditions, Scott stated, “I don’t believe in grand bargains…We’ve got to reward people for caring for themselves.” As Governor of Florida, Rick Scott refused Medicaid expansion that would cover 833,000 Floridians and attempted to make it more difficult for Floridians to sign up for Medicaid, suggesting a reduction in the amount of time individuals have to enroll from 90 to 30 days. Scott wasn’t acting alone in his support for this radical plan. Many high-profile Republicans signaled their support, including Senator Ron Johnson, RNC Chairwoman Rona McDaniel, Senator Mike Braun, Senator Marco Rubio, Senator Tommy Tuberville, Congressman Matt Gaetz, and Senator Joni Ernst.
Rick Scott Spent The Last Year Doubling Down On His Plan To Put The ACA, Medicaid, and Medicare At Risk. Rick Scott has spent the last year repeatedly promoting his plan to put every health care program on the chopping block. When President Biden pledged to protect Medicare during his State of the Union address, Scott tweeted, “In my plan, I suggested the following: All federal legislation sunsets in 5 yrs. If a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again” and then went on a media tour promoting his plan. After Republican Senate candidates performed poorly in the 2022 elections, Scott insisted that he had no regrets about his scheme, writing, “Yes, I put out a plan of ideas, and I don’t regret it one bit. Yes, one of them suggested sunsetting laws after five years — noting that if a law is worth keeping, Congress can pass it again.” Over the last year, Scott has tweeted countless times and made dozens of media appearances continuing to hammer his proposal to put the ACA, Medicaid, Medicare and health care for tens of millions of Americans at constant risk.